Ethics in Business Analysis

Ethics is part of the BABOK®’s Behavioral Characteristics competency, which is one of six general competencies that a successful business analyst should possess. For each competency, the BABOK lists effectiveness measures. These effectiveness measures for ethics include: making decisions that consider the interests of all stakeholders, being clear with the reasons for decisions, disclosing potential conflicts of interest, honesty about one’s one abilities, and taking responsibility for errors. As can be seen, the values stressed here are fairness, openness, honesty, and taking responsibility.

Business analysts who have earned their CBAP® have agreed to the corresponding CBAP® Code of Ethical Conduct & Professional Standards. This can be found at http://www.theiiba.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Application&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5975 under “Code of Conduct Form.” There are two major sections of this code: Responsibilities to the Profession; and Responsibilities to the Client and the Public. Responsibilities to the Profession has three sections: Compliance with all Organizational Rules and Policies, Candidates Professional Practice, and Advancement of the Profession. Responsibilities to the Client and the Public has two sections: Qualifications, Experience and Performance of Professional Duties; and Conflict of Interest Situations and Other Prohibited Professional Situations. The code especially emphasizes acting in accordance with the law, not mis-representing yourself, maintaining confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest.